La Grande Observer 05-15-15

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l MORE IN SPORTS:JOSEPH GIRLS WIN DISTRICT,9A

AND INSIDE: 'IMPRESSIVE'STORM LEADS TO FLOODING, 2A '

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LA GRANDE

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• Business owners lament loss of trees downtown By Kelly Ducote

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The Observer

Despite objections from downtown business owners and employees, eight trees are coming down today as part of the Adams Avenue StreetscapeProject. La Grande Public Works Director Norm Paullus said most of those trees will be replaced and several others added sothat the area will actually gain six trees. The tree removal drew complaints from nearby business owners and employees, who said they weren't consulted on the matter and just recently found out the trees would be removed. 'There's no discussion about this. It's informational only at this point," said Colleen MacLeod, co-owner of Joe Beans, on Thursday. M acLeodtaped signs to thetreessetto be removed to inform others that they would soon be gone. She saidthe treesprovide shade, habitat forbirdsand create an inviting atmosphere. Others on the block on Adams Avenue between SeeTrees / Page 5A

5 Oregon prosecutors, crime victims call current grand jury recording bill'seriously flawed'

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Tim Mustoe/TheObserver

Nick Niclequerica of Mike Becker Construction cuts branches off a tree with a chainsaw while standing high in the air with a Genie lift on Chestnut Street Friday morning near the Foley Building. Eight trees are coming down today as part of the Adams Avenue Streetscape Project.

Speakout TODAY'S QUESTION Whatdo you think of the City of La Grande's removal of eight trees as part of the Adams Avenue Streetscape Project? SOUND OFF www.lagrandeobserver. com

BAlt',ER COUNTY

By Chris Collins

near Mowich hmp on Highway 7, about BAKER CITY — Damon Rob20 miles southwest inson, the Baker Cityman who of Baker City. eluded police in a chase that ended Robinson, 41, of when the weather turned hostile Robinson 2220 Ohio Stu was in the Elkhorn Mountains Tuesheld at gunpoint by day night, was arrested without a man who lives in the area until incident about 1 p.m. Wednesday police arrived atthescene,said

and one misdemeanor count attempting to elude police and Sheriff Travis Ash. reckless driving. "It went smooth,"Ash said The man asked that his name not be released. of the police response, which Robinson is being held at the included calling in members of a Baker County Jail on charges of regional SWAT team on Wednesfelon in possession of a firearm, a day to help find Robinson after Class C felony, one felony count SeeRobinson / Page 5A

VVesCom News Service

WE A T H E R Dear Abby ...10B Opinion..........4A Health ............6C Outdoors .......1C Horoscope.....5B Record ...........3A Lottery............2A Sports ............9A Obituaries......3A Television ......3C

49 Low A little rain

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Thursday, citing a strong economy and a bump in job growth. Page 11A

board glad search is over • David Nelson logged many miles during presidential search Criteria

David Nelson's 1,500-mile weekends are over. Nelson, the chair of Eastern Oregon University's Board of Trustees, added some impresNelson si v e mileage to his vehicle's odometer while helping lead Eastern's search for a new president. The search ended Tuesday when Tom Insko, the area manager for Boise Cascade's Inland Region, was introduced SeeSearch / Page 5A

The candidates who applied forthe Eastern position were evaluated on the basis of 17 criteria. Nelson said Eastern had a number of excellent candidates but that none received top marks in all 17 criteria areas.

CONTACT US

Fu l l forecast on the back of B section

Friday

Oregon families should get an average of $284 in tax rebates next year, state economists

Chair of EOU

By Dick Mason

Robinson has extensive record in Union County

Calendar........7A Classified.......1B Cold Cases ....1D Comics...........SB Crossword..... 5B

PORTLAND — District attorneys stood with crime victims Thursday to criticize a bill in the Legislature that would require recording grand jury testimony and sharing victims' verbatim testimony with defense lawyers after a defendant is indicted and arraigned. The Oregon District Attorneys Association and several crime victims called Senate Bill 822 "seriously flawed." They contend lawmakers have ignored victims' concerns and are offering an alternative. The prosecutors' amended bill would call for all grand juriesto berecorded but SeeBill / Page 5A

The Observer

Tim Mustoe/TheObserver

INDEX

Inside

By Maxine Bernstein The Oregonian

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Sunday

, 64/43 As h ower „possible

541-963-3161 Issue 58 3 sections, 32 pages La Grande, Oregon

MONDAY IN HOME 5. LIVING HEAT UP THE KITCHEN WITH CHILIES

Email story ideas to newsC~lagrande observer.oom. More contact info on Page 4A.

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La Grande Observer 05-15-15 by NorthEast Oregon News - Issuu